May 04, 2026 22:00:00

What are the downsides of turning a hobby into a job? What meaning do hobbies hold in life?

In recent years, with the ease of monetizing on social media and working as a freelancer, more and more people are making money by leveraging their hobbies and skills. However,

Ally Bailey, an assistant professor in the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies at the University of Waterloo in Canada, points out that there are various drawbacks to turning a hobby into a job.

How to protect your hobbies in a culture that wants to exploit them
https://theconversation.com/how-to-protect-your-hobbies-in-a-culture-that-wants-to-exploit-them-277817

In modern times, the development of the gig economy , where people take on one-off jobs via the internet, and the establishment of models for earning income by posting on social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram, have made it easier to turn one's hobbies and skills into work. Furthermore, rising living costs have increased the need for side jobs, and the desire for flexible work arrangements has grown stronger, putting pressure on many people to 'turn their hobbies into a side hustle.'

However, Bailey points out that turning a hobby into a job means that a hobby that was purely a place of relaxation transforms into a 'new source of productivity.' In fact, when Bailey was a graduate student struggling to make ends meet, he obtained fitness instructor certifications in order to turn his hobbies of yoga, running, and weightlifting into a job.

Bailey said of that time, 'What I didn't realize was that the joy I once felt could quickly turn into burnout. Exercise was no longer a source of enjoyment; it was merely a means to an end, and I was exhausted. I was juggling multiple jobs, constantly bogged down in unstable work, and driving around town day and night.'

Bailey's experience reflects the widespread cultural pressure to view high productivity as a virtue. She notes that

a hustle culture , which glorifies long hours, promotions, and the pursuit of money, remains deeply ingrained on social media.

However, hobbies that can be enjoyed on a continuous basis, regardless of work or monetary reward, play an important role in happiness. In fact, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when freedom of movement was restricted due to lockdowns and social distancing, people immersed themselves in various hobbies such as cooking and crafts to cope with stress and anxiety.

Furthermore, hobbies can improve people's physical and mental health. Exercise such as running and weight training has benefits for the cardiovascular system, while creative hobbies such as photography, music, and knitting can help increase health and well-being.

Of course, there are senses of accomplishment and financial benefits to be gained from turning a hobby into a job. However, turning a hobby into a job may also lead to pressure to increase productivity and achieve economic growth, potentially causing you to lose the benefits you gain from your hobby.

Furthermore, Bailey points out that the problem lies in the structure that forces low- and middle-income people to work multiple jobs just to survive, putting them under pressure to monetize their hobbies. He argues that hobbies and rest are important as a means of resisting these problems.

Bailey advised against turning hobbies into a job, stating, 'If possible, resist the urge to turn your hobby into a job and keep monetization to a minimum. Hobbies are sacred. They are time away from work and essential for your mental and physical health.' He added, 'It's important to protect your joy in a culture that tries to exploit it in any way.'